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PEE FACE 



In placing this book of travels before the public there are 

 some points to be explained, some indulgencies to be asked 

 for, and many fiicnds to be named whose assistance merits 

 my warmest gratitude. 



It is right at the outset to remind my readers that they 

 must not criticise a book of trayel too severely as a literary 

 production. WMlst the novelist and tlie historian are always 

 using their pen^ the traveller of necessity isolates himself 



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from all literature, and yet when he does write he finds num- 

 bered amongst his readers the man of science, the lover of 

 adventure, and the practical public. In order, if possible, to 

 make the following pages acceptable to all, I have tried to 

 arrange my subjects in such a way that any special topic can 



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be omitted without difficulty by those whom it does not 



interest. 

 ; The success with which the Eoyal Geographical Society 



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has for years been conducting its meetings has made that 



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bi-anch of science quite popular, at least amongst the reading 

 piliblic of London. I feel, therefore, that no apology is 



